For more than a year, graphic warnings have been mandatory on Canadian cigarette packs. The warnings include shocking images of lung tumors, a damaged heart, and bloody, diseased gums. The images take up half of the cigarette pack.

"It's clear that the warnings work, and one result will be improved health for many Canadians," said Ken Kyle of the Canadian Cancer Society, which conducted the research.

For the study, 2,031 people were asked their opinions about the graphic warnings. Of the participants, 633 were smokers. According to the findings, more than half the smokers surveyed said the graphic images increased their awareness of the effect of smoking on their health. In addition, half the smokers said the warnings had increased their motivation to quit, while more than a third of smokers who tried to quit in 2001 said the labels had been a factor.

The study also showed that nearly a fifth of the smokers said the images had at least once curbed their urge to smoke, while 25 percent of smokers said they covered the package so they couldn't see the picture.

Half of the nonsmokers taking part in the study said the labels reinforced their decision not to smoke.

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